The objects cut off and dropped by the wind included silver coins and gold treasures, which could be used for daily expenses or as hidden weapons. However, aside from these, there didn’t seem to be anything particularly notable.
“What is this…?” Ruan Yushu picked up an object that looked somewhat like jewelry from the bag filled with gold treasures.
It was crafted from gold, entirely hollowed out, forming an intricate pattern that exuded a strange beauty, something very unique and rare, carrying an air of sacredness and solemnity.
“This gold is mixed with some special material, making it difficult to counterfeit,” Ruan Yushu carefully examined and made a judgment.
Jiang Zhiwei leaned in closer and took it, rubbing it for a while. “There’s no internal essence of martial cultivation energy. It’s just crafted from a special material.”
In other words, it was merely an ordinary piece of jewelry with better materials and an unusual design.
“Perhaps it’s some kind of identity symbol for the Myth Organization…” Meng Qi grinned, his imagination fueled by his extensive reading.
Jiang Zhiwei nodded slightly. “That’s possible, but it might contain a special aura. Carrying it on you might make you easy to track.”
“Haha, what’s there to fear? Did you forget I have this?” Meng Qi patted his left hand, where the Jizi Ring was worn.
Once hidden inside, even experts ranked among the Heavens couldn’t detect it.
“Once the next samsara task begins, I’ll have the Lord of the Sixfold Samsara appraise it,” Meng Qi added silently through secret transmission.
Jiang Zhiwei had merely offered a habitual reminder. Seeing that Meng Qi was well-prepared, she didn’t press further.
At this moment, due to the commotion from the earlier fight, many martial artists had gathered, including Six Gates Bureau officers. The trio hurriedly packed up the items, letting Jiang Hengchuan’s remains sink into the water, and quickly left the riverside.
…
The sun dipped below the horizon. Meng Qi found Hero Hall completely empty. It was said that during the duel between the “Purple Star Master” and Taoist Shouzhuo, there had been some disturbance here. Many patrons, after finishing their meals, suddenly realized they no longer needed to pay.
“Ren Pingsheng was indeed alert, managing to withdraw so swiftly…” Meng Qi sighed, then turned through several streets, heading toward the alley where the dragon-willow tree stood.
As dusk fell, dark shadows gathered beneath the dragon-willow tree, exuding a faintly eerie atmosphere. The old woodcarver, who had been carving statues, stood in front of the door with his hands behind his back, seemingly waiting for Meng Qi.
Beside him were no carving knives, no wooden blocks, no statues. Dressed in a green robe, he held a plain long sword. Even while waiting for someone, he remained fully focused.
“Senior, that sword strike of yours was truly world-shaking, severing the path to the Nine Nether Hells,” Meng Qi could no longer feign ignorance of the founding patriarch of Huamei Villa, “One Sword” Lu Zhiping, and sincerely praised him.
Master Lu smiled faintly. “It was just a rift in the Nine Nether Realms. Some malevolent spirits refuse to relent, always attempting to return to the mortal world.”
He paused, then continued, “Last time I told you, after the Jinshui Great Tide, I had something to tell you. Are you ready to hear it now?”
Meng Qi bowed respectfully. “I would be honored to hear it in detail.”
Master Lu’s expression grew slightly serious. “Young man, observing your fortune, it is like blossoms in full bloom, like fire blazing fiercely. You must have encountered many adventures and narrowly escaped many dangers, correct?”
“Yes, Senior,” Meng Qi also became solemn.
Master Lu sighed. “However, your fortune does not originate from yourself. It’s like a tree without roots or a river without a source, seemingly burning brightly, but in the end, it may lead to great danger and ultimately amount to nothing.”
Was this referring to the “fortune” brought by the Lord of the Sixfold Samsara? Because of the samsara tasks, the exchanges, and the various adventures in different worlds, Meng Qi had experienced such fortune? Or was it referring to another reason, such as A-nan? Meng Qi’s thoughts churned like waves, his heart in turmoil.
“Senior, do you have any advice for me?” Meng Qi struggled to suppress his inner chaos and shock.
Master Lu shook his head with a smile. “Your path must be walked by yourself. This wooden carving will be a gift for you watching over the past few days.”
He handed Meng Qi a wooden carving, precisely depicting Meng Qi himself, lifelike, with a steady expression yet hinting at a mischievousness in his eyes and brows.
Meng Qi took the carving, finding it seemingly no different from those sold on the streets, yet he dared not take it lightly, carefully putting it away.
“Thank you, Senior.”
Master Lu nodded, then departed gracefully, holding the famous “Onesword” that shook the world. His aged, deep-blue back figure gradually disappeared into the crowd, leaving not a speck of dust behind.
Meng Qi gathered his scattered thoughts, sighed lightly, and decided that Master Lu’s words were still far from his current concerns and could be set aside for now.
…
On the crescent-shaped Yueya Lake, a boat marked with “Deng’s Fish Workshop” floated at the lake’s center.
“Three guests, we’re approaching the branch hall of the Great River Gang. Would you like to drift here on the lake?” The boat owner was a young fisherwoman. Her skin was dark due to sun and rain exposure, but her appearance was quite handsome, and her speech was not coarse.
Dressed in white and carrying a long sword, Meng Qi finally didn’t have to carry the “Heaven’s Wound” on his back but had stored it in the Jizi Ring. He smiled and said, “We’re all common folks; any place is fine for drifting. What matters is eating crabs.”
The fisherwoman smiled slightly. “The guest is indeed straightforward. I’ll prepare right away.”
Seeing Ruan Yushu seemingly wanting to say something, Meng Qi, fearing she might dampen the mood, quickly added, “It’s the perfect season for tasting lake crabs. Deng’s Fish Workshop has been passed down for a hundred years, known for its plump and tender crabs and unique sauce, hailed as the best in Maoling. I spent a fortune to rent the entire boat.”
At the end of his speech, he boasted about renting the whole boat, seeking praise from Ruan Yushu and Jiang Zhiwei, fully displaying the manner of a nouveau riche.
Seeing his expression, Jiang Zhiwei couldn’t help but laugh. Normally, she would dislike such behavior, but when the little monk talked fluently and boasted proudly, it was unusually amusing, making her feel relaxed and not at all unbecoming.
Ruan Yushu sipped her lotus tea calmly. “Nobles usually prepare their own boats and hire chefs.”
Meng Qi had anticipated this and raised his right hand. “That’s too troublesome. Besides, being surrounded by maids and servants, dining with strangers, how could you enjoy the freedom and focus on delicious food like this?”
I knew you’d say that!
Ruan Yushu nodded slightly. “That’s not wrong either.”
Meng Qi became even more pleased. “See? I promised you a feast, and I won’t break my word.”
“So I’m just an extra?” Jiang Zhiwei teased with a smile.
Meng Qi nearly choked on his saliva, almost transforming into Wang Daigong: “How could that be? I invited both of you. Gathering friends, enjoying crabs and wine, isn’t that delightful?”
Jiang Zhiwei was only joking. Seeing Meng Qi change the subject, she didn’t stop him and smiled, “Mao Ling lake crabs are famous worldwide. I’ve tasted them a few times at my sect, and they were indeed good. But after a long journey, even with special preservation methods, how could they compare to fresh lake crabs eaten right here?”
“Exactly!” Ruan Yushu seemed to swallow her saliva.
The three chatted about the pleasures of Mao Ling lake crabs until the fisherwoman brought out a large tray of steamed red lake crabs.
“This is our secret sauce and side dishes, this is the Yueya Snow Silk Fish, and this is our homemade yellow rice wine. Pairing it with a cup while tasting the crabs enhances the flavor even more,” the fisherwoman said with a smile.
Smelling the aroma, Ruan Yushu’s hands, which had been placed neatly, twitched slightly, as if she couldn’t wait.
“To have a few life-and-death friends, drifting on the lake, drinking wine, and tasting crabs—what a great joy in life. Cheers!” Meng Qi poured a cup of yellow rice wine and drank it first.
Jiang Zhiwei and Ruan Yushu, both possessing profound inner energy, were not afraid of drinking and each drank a cup.
The autumn breeze was refreshing, and the water waves rippled. After completing the samsara task, being able to reunite, drink wine, and taste crabs indeed brought a rare sense of relaxation and joy.
Putting down her cup, Ruan Yushu picked up a crab and quickly removed the shell and legs. In no time, the tender crab meat and roe were fully exposed.
She looked eager and hurried, yet every movement was graceful, her crab-peeling posture like a beautiful scene.
Dipping it in the sauce and eating a piece of crab meat, Ruan Yushu slightly closed her eyes.
“Delicious, truly lives up to its reputation.”
Such an expression and words made Meng Qi’s appetite surge, but looking at the crab in front of him, imagining peeling it as perfectly as she did, he found it almost impossible.
In recent days, he had been putting the crab into his mouth, biting through the shell with a crisp sound, and devouring it heartily.
Jiang Zhiwei smiled, took a crab, extended her right hand, and sword qi erupted. The crab shell shattered and was blown aside by a breeze, revealing the deliciousness inside.
“It’s indeed better than what I’ve eaten at the sect,” Jiang Zhiwei praised.
Inspired, Meng Qi similarly used his inner energy to assist, controlling it with the Eight-Nine Mystical Art. In just a breath, the crab was completely stripped bare.
Dipping it in the sauce, Meng Qi tasted a piece of crab meat. The unique flavor of the sauce highlighted the sweetness of the crab meat, creating a full range of flavors in his mouth, not spicy but satisfying, truly delightful!
Seeing this, Ruan Yushu was momentarily stunned. Picking up a second crab, she chose to use her inner energy to “peel” the shell. If she continued to insist on the elegant, normal procedure, the crabs would be finished by the two across from her!
How quickly they ate!
Eating crabs and drinking wine, enjoying themselves immensely. Half an hour later, the table was in disarray, the crabs completely devoured, and Meng Qi was slightly tipsy, slapping the table and singing folk songs.
Ruan Yushu wiped her hands and placed the Qifeng Qin on the table, gently playing a melody—lofty, vast, calm, and serene.
Meng Qi gradually stopped humming, leaning back against the partition behind him, looking very comfortable.
Jiang Zhiwei rested her sword across her knees, quietly listening, her expression serene.
After a while, the autumn wind carried moisture and rolled in. Ruan Yushu stopped playing the Qin and softly said, “Tomorrow I must return to Langya. Before I turn eighteen, I’m afraid I won’t be able to officially travel the world.”
“Mm, I’ll treat you again in the samsara task,” Meng Qi comforted her, his words very sincere.
Jiang Zhiwei stroked her sword and sighed, “The ‘Azure Lotus Master’ has yet to arrive. ‘Sword Qi Changhe’ learned of the outcome in Maoling before reaching here and returned to the seaside. ‘Five Emperors’ Blade’ followed Master Shouzhuo back into the mountains. ‘Wolf King’ is nowhere to be found. I had planned to test my sword against the gathered heroes, but it seems I won’t get the chance.”
“The ‘Purple Star Master’ is extremely powerful, forcing Taoist Shouzhuo to retreat at a critical moment and escaping from Maoling.”
“I was planning to invite you both to ‘hunt’ Wolf King, but unfortunately, there are no clues for now. However, it’s fine. In Jiangdong, many heroes have gathered. If you want a challenge, you won’t have trouble finding someone,” Meng Qi consoled her.
Jiang Zhiwei smiled. “I need to leave Jiangdong for a while. The head of the Xijian Pavilion in Maoling informed me that I must replace my sect to attend a celebration for the family of a deceased senior elder in Zhongzhou. Calculating the days, I must set off tomorrow. Little monk, what about you?”
Gatherings must eventually part, and partings are for future reunions. Meng Qi raised his cup. “Originally, I had no urgent matters and could go to Zhongzhou for a walk, but Senior Brother Qi hasn’t arrived yet. I need to stay here and wait for him. After all, how could we not be here when he comes all this way? That would hurt him deeply.”
Jiang Zhiwei nodded with a smile. “That makes sense. I’ll return to Jiangdong within one or two months.”
The boat of Deng’s Fish Workshop returned to the shore. Ruan Yushu and Jiang Zhiwei disembarked one after another, heading together to the Dajue Temple.
Meng Qi watched their retreating figures and the lake water tinged with golden light. His drunkenness surged, and he slapped the table, singing loudly, “The great river flows eastward, sweeping away heroes in its waves…”
His voice was bold and majestic, spreading far and wide, drawing many sidelong glances. Ruan Yushu and Jiang Zhiwei also slowed their steps to listen, but Meng Qi showed no embarrassment, reveling in his own joy:
“…All the events of past and present are merely topics of laughter…”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage